Community pillar
Faranani Rural Women Training Initiative
For over 20 years, PwC’s Faranani Rural Women Training Initiative has been transforming lives by equipping women in underserved communities with the skills to build and grow sustainable businesses. Founded in 2006, the programme has supported more than 4,700 women across South Africa, helping to unlock economic potential in communities.
Faranani operates across multiple provinces, including Gauteng, Limpopo, the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, the Western Cape and North West—extending its reach into rural and peri-urban communities nationwide.
The programme focuses on practical business skills such as financial management, pricing, marketing, and business planning, combined with the confidence and tools needed to start or scale a business. By addressing barriers such as limited access to education, networks, and financial literacy, Faranani enables women to participate meaningfully in the economy and drive growth within their communities.
As part of our commitment to measuring impact, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the programme’s effectiveness and outcomes. We surveyed 65 participants from the FY23/24 cohort and analysed both quantitative and qualitative data.
The findings highlight strong economic impact:
- 63% of participants reported increased sales, with an average growth of 32%.
Profits increased by 30%, enabling reinvestment into their businesses.
55% of participants reduced operational costs, particularly in logistics and transportation.
Employment increased by an average of 22%, supporting job creation and strengthening local economies.
These results demonstrate the tangible value of the programme in empowering women and driving inclusive economic growth.
A 20-year legacy of empowerment: PwC Faranani Rural Women
Youth Start
The Youth Engage Programme, in collaboration with PwC, is a national Matric Mathematics and Science revision initiative designed to support students from under-resourced schools. Through interactive cinema-based sessions, students receive engaging revision support from qualified teachers, complimentary text books, and access to a zero-rated digital platform. The programme aims to increase pass rates, improve bachelor passes, and enhance university intake opportunities for disadvantaged learners across South Africa.
The Maths Initiative for the National Development of Youth (Mindy) project
MINDY is a collaborative effort to improve mathematics education in Gauteng schools. Through a partnership with Marketplace Academy (MPA) and Katlehong Engineering School of Specialisation (KESOS), PwC is helping learners strengthen their maths skills and unlock future opportunities.
Anchored in the belief that quality education drives sustainable development, the initiative has already improved maths outcomes and boosted learner confidence—helping build a stronger skills pipeline for South Africa’s future growth.
SDGs:
- Quality education
- Reduce inequalities
Nigeria cricket
Since 2018, PwC Nigeria has partnered with the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) to sponsor the National U-17 Cricket Championship for Boys and Girls, now widely known as the PwC National U-17 Cricket Championship. It is Nigeria’s largest grassroots cricket tournament, designed to promote youth development, gender inclusion, and national talent discovery across all six geopolitical zones.
The initiative evolved from the Naija Kids Cricket Programme, which aimed to introduce 10,000 children to cricket annually. Today, it serves as the main pathway to national representation in Nigerian cricket.
Mechanised borehole project
PwC Ghana, in partnership with United Way Ghana, commissioned a mechanised borehole at St. George’s Anglican Basic School in Chorkor, Accra. This initiative is part of a broader commitment to climate action and environmental sustainability,aimed at addressing the school’s long-standing water access challenges. Chorkor is one of Accra’s most densely populated and under served communities, with over 30,000 residents. The school was selected following a comprehensive assessment based on its critical water and sanitation needs, high student population, and its commitment to maintaining existing facilities.
PwC Tiny Tree
PwC Mauritius funded and executed the Tiny Forest initiative in collaboration with Moka Smart City and the Action for Environment Protection NGO. This ambitious project aims to transform an 800 sqm plot of land adjacent to the PwC building into a lush green oasis amidst the ongoing development in the Moka Smart City.
Over the course of a week, dedicated PwC staff came together to plant an impressive 2,400 endemic and indigenous trees, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to environmental sustainability and community engagement. The initiative is expected to significantly enhance local biodiversity while creating a vibrant, accessible green space for all to enjoy.
Following the success of the initial phase, an extension project is currently under consideration as part of the second phase of the project, which would further expand the green footprint and deepen the environmental impact of the initiative.
M-kids expanding innovation labs
The M-kids Innovation Lab Project, in Mauritius, is dedicated to empowering children with the tools they need to excel in their education. Previously, we provided laptops to foster digital learning, and now, we are taking it a step further by offering tablets with keyboards. This initiative ensures that every child has access to cutting-edge technology, enhancing their ability to learn, explore, and grow. By bridging the digital divide, we aim to create a future where all children can thrive academically.
Contact us
Anastacia Tshesane
Regional Senior Partner, PwC South Market Area, PwC South Africa
Tel: +27 (0) 11 797 5802
Kang'e Saiti
Regional Senior Partner, PwC East Market Area, and Country Senior Partner, PwC Kenya
Tel: +254 (0) 20 285 5000
